Goods traded in the pan-Euro-Mediterranean zone and in the Western Balkans now benefit from common rules and preferential customs treatment. This should result in deeper economic integration and stronger trade links in the area.

ACT

Council Decision 2013/94/EU of 26 March 2012 on the conclusion of the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin.

SUMMARY

A Regional Convention on the origin of goods traded in the pan-Euro-Mediterranean zone was signed on behalf of the European Union (EU) in April 2011. The Convention brings together in a single legal instrument all the rules regarding the origin of goods traded in the context of approximately 60 bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) between countries of the pan-Euro-Mediterranean area, as well as with countries involved in the EU’s Stabilisation and Association process (SAP).

participants in the SAP Process: Bosnia-Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as Kosovo*.

Originating products

For tariff preferences to be applied, the origin of goods has to be established. Goods are considered as products originating in the pan-Euro-Mediterranean cumulation zone if they are:

wholly obtained (e.g. mined, harvested or, in the case of live animals, born and raised) in the territory of a Contracting Party;

composed of materials originating in countries that are not signatories to the Convention (non-originating materials), but which have been sufficiently worked or processed in the territory of a Contracting Party (Annex II of Appendix I);

The Convention operates on the basis of acumulationsystem whereby Contracting Parties can use originating products from each other, as if they were domestically produced. Under the pan-Euro-Mediterranean cumulation of origin system, a system of diagonal cumulation operates between the EU and many of the countries in question.

Proof of origin

Customs authorities of the exporting country issue movement certificates EUR.1 or EUR-MED to substantiate claims of origin. This allows importers in other Contracting Parties to benefit from the preferential tariff arrangements.

An origin declaration or an origin declaration EUR-MED may also be given by an approved exporter.

Arrangements for administrative cooperation

Customs authorities of the Parties will coordinate with one another, e.g. by sharing specimen impressions of stamps used for the issue of movement certificates EUR.1 and EUR- MED, verifying proofs of origin, etc.

Management and implementation

A Joint Committee made up of representatives of all the Contracting Parties will ensure the management and implementation of the Convention.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

Council Decision 2013/93/EU of 14 April 2011 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin [Official Journal L 54 of 26.2.2013].